On Air Now

K Drive

3:00pm - 7:00pm

  • 045 901 490
  • 0833-979797

Now Playing

Michael Jackson

Thriller

Publicly-Funded HRT Scheme Could Be A 'Game-Changer' For Women's Health, Says Local Senator

Stephen Donnelly says details about the publicly-funded scheme will be published in the coming weeks.

Plans to introduce a free hormone replacement therapy scheme are being finalised by the Health Minister.

Stephen Donnelly says details about the publicly-funded scheme will be published in the coming weeks.

It would see the government fund the cost of HRT medication, including patches, for all those who need it.

Kildare Senator Fiona O' Senator O'Loughlin said a publicly-funded HRT scheme will be a "game-changer for women’s healthcare".

She said there has been an increase in demand for HRT medicines in the last number of years.

However, women have faced issues in using HRT medicine, from access to cost disparity, she said.

“These issues are in addition to the already challenging experience of menopause. It represents a significant change in the reproductive system and brings with it a lot of other symptoms, everything from hot flashes to weight gain, hair loss, anxiety, depression, sight loss, arthritis and diabetes."

She added: “The scheme would put an end to the barrier posed by costs in accessing effective and essential healthcare treatment. Women are faced with costs of €30 to €70 per month for HRT, the cost of a GP visit which can be between €60 and €80 and the cost of having to have to go to a consultant which could be hundreds of euros for one consultation."

More from Local News

Stay tuned to Kfm!

Get the Kfm Apps for you phone, tablet or smart speaker...

Kfm Kildare Weather

  • Thu

    Low-level cloud

    13°C

  • Fri

    Medium-level cloud

    13°C

  • Sat

    Low-level cloud

    13°C

  • Sun

    Low-level cloud

    13°C

  • Mon

    Sunny intervals

    13°C